The announcement was made by Captain Timothy D. Nease (ret.), co-founder and CEO of IMSN, at the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) in Dania Beach, Fla. IMSN has the only DNV certified Anti-Piracy Course—offering a blended version of eLearning and practical drills and exercises.

“Mariners’ lives are at risk everyday around the globe. Knowledge is the key component to safety and it’s vital that ship owners and crew members take the protective measures of a training course to combat piracy,” said Captain Nease. He continued, “DNV’s highly respected SeaSkill certification program is widely known for its stringent reviews and audits to continuously exceed excellence, so it’s remarkable for IMSN to have the first course certification for maritime anti-piracy training.”

In the first quarter of 2011, pirates killed seven crewmembers, injured 34, and took 344 hostages according to International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) global piracy report. Additionally, 18 vessels were hijacked worldwide.

“IMSN’s commitment to excellence in maritime security has resulted in a practical training course that will help to ensure seafarers can properly avoid or handle a piracy incident,” said Gordon Halsey, Principal Consultant for DNV.

IMSN’s Anti-Piracy Defense Course provides practical training for vital activities such as watch-keeping, lockdown procedures, anti-piracy drills, hand-to-hand defensive tactics, as well as contingency plans for issues such as surviving a hostage attack or movement of prisoners. The training course also covers concepts related to anti-piracy laws. IMSN’s anti-piracy training course is available online or on DVD.

IMSN specializes in the development of vessel and port security plans including third-party due diligence and auditing, certified training that integrates the required understanding of new international law, the current ISPS code, SUA conventions, and SOLAS amendments. In addition to IMSN’s training courses, the company provides equipment such as early-detection cameras, ballistic armor for safe rooms, the Triton Shield wall-of-water device and armed security teams to detect, deter and defend against maritime threats.

Maritime Reporter and Engineering News’ first edition was published in New York City in 1883 and became our flagship publication in 1939.
It is the world’s largest audited circulation magazine serving the global maritime industry, delivering more insightful editorial and news to more industry decision makers than any other source.